Letter: Macksey: Working Hard From Day One

To the Editor:

Beyond a doubt, Jennifer Macksey is the most qualified leader who possesses the values, experience, skills, and total dedication to the residents of North Adams to continue to serve as mayor. She listens, executes, and delivers results.

As a lifelong resident of North Adams and as a 28-year teacher at Drury High School, I know firsthand that Jennifer's word is her promise. She follows through with initiatives and works tirelessly in her pursuit of improving the city's infrastructure and educational programming. Jennifer has improved services to ensure greater accountability and transparency. She has protected taxpayers, balanced budgets, and prioritized public safety to keep our neighborhoods safe.

Ms. Macksey has a love of our city and is genuinely concerned about the welfare of every resident. She works tirelessly to make our community a better place.

A mayor requires strong leadership, effective communication, and sound managerial skills to run a city efficiently. Key skills include the ability to research and analyze complex city issues, represent the city to external parties, lead and motivate staff, and make sound decisions within a complex political and legal framework. Jennifer Macksey has these skills and is the right person to continue to lead the City of North Adams.

Jennifer Macksey is an experienced problem solver and strong leader with great integrity. She has been ready from day one, has worked hard, and has delivered on her promises. Please join me in voting for Jennifer Macksey on Nov. 4 to continue serving as our mayor. North Adams deserves a strong, experienced leader.

Patrick Boulger
North Adams, Mass. 

Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. 

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

 

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members. 

 

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

 

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

 

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

 

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."